Robert Rush

Robert A. Rush
December 9, 1922 - April 13, 2021 (age 98)

Robert Alvin Rush, 98, of Gulfport, passed away peacefully in Hattiesburg, April 13, 2021. He was born in Riderville, Chilton County, AL, on December 9, 1922. He met his future wife, and love of his life in grade school and married her June 20, 1940. His proposal of marriage was "I don't have much to give you except this $5.00 in my pocket, two good hands to work with, and a promise of all my love for the rest of my life." He fulfilled that promise being married to his sweetheart for 78 years. After marriage he went to work in the construction business, traveling and working in Alabama and Florida before settling down in Gulfport, Mississippi in 1947. He later became a general residential contractor until his retirement in 1990.

Robert's military service consisted of the WWII 3rd Army Central Europe Campaign as a field telephone lineman. He worked as a member of the team laying, maintaining, and taking up the wire or cable of a telephone or telegraph communication system. Robert received an honorable discharge on December 7, 1945.

The center of his life was his family and his God. He accepted the Lord as his Savior after he was married and returned from active military duty in Europe. He would quickly tell you that he was blessed beyond comprehension by his God who had given him so much. His family and faith were the focus of everything he did. His service to his Lord through his church was an integral aspect of his life. He was ordained as a Deacon by the East Side Baptist Church in Gulfport Mississippi on November 7, 1952. He served as Deacon at East Side Baptist, and later at Grace Memorial Baptist until 2011. He served as Sunday School Teacher, Church Sunday School Director, Adult Sunday School Director, Senior Adult Sunday School Director, Usher, and Church Maintenance Committee, and remained an active member of Grace Memorial Baptist Church until relocating to Hattiesburg in 2019.

Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Mireen Rush, an infant son, his parents, three sisters and an older brother. He is survived by three children, Charlotte Savarese (Joe), Alvin Rush (JoAnn), and Beverly Thames (Baron); five grandchildren, Tanya Hood (Hal), Brent Savarese (Laurie), Stephanie Chapuis, Robbie Young (Gerald), and Blake Ogletree (Frank); twelve great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren.

Visitation will be at the Moore Funeral Home, 805 Hardy St., Hattiesburg, MS on Saturday, April 17 at 9:00 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, 8910 Carl Legett Road, Gulfport, MS at 2:30 p.m.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport, is serving the family. An online register book may be signed, and condolences and photos shared at www.riemannfamily.com